Within the expansive realm of anime, characters defined as assassins encapsulate a distinct blend of strength and power. These figures captivate audiences with their lethal abilities, intricate backgrounds, and morally ambiguous paths. Operating mainly in the shadows, these skilled individuals utilize their talents with a mix of precision and ingenuity, establishing themselves as some of the most fearsome characters in their narratives.
From stealthy rogues to ruthless hitmen, the anime genre is replete with assassins who exemplify various forms of the art of killing. However, this article zeroes in on those assassins who, irrespective of their methods, undeniably symbolize power and might across different universes. This leads to a comparative ranking of the most formidable assassins in anime history.
10 Yor Forger – Spy X Family
The Thorn Princess
- Age: 27
- Skills: Massive Speed, Incredible Strength, Resistance to Poison
Yor Forger, who seamlessly balances the roles of a devoted mother to Anya and a wife to Loid, stands out as one of Spy X Family‘s most powerful characters. While she appears to lead an ordinary life as an office worker, her true identity as an assassin is masked by layers of gentleness. Though often socially awkward and seemingly detached, this does not diminish her reputation as the series’ most lethal agent.
Although her feats may not be superhuman, Yor’s prowess places her at the upper echelon of human capability; in terms of sheer strength and power, she clearly outmatches every other character in the series.
9. Kotomine Kirei – Fate
The Impartial Mediator
- Age: 38
- Skills: Exceptional Strength, Expert in Bajiquan, Angra Mainyu, Magecraft, Spiritual Healing
It might be unexpected to see a priest take on the role of a deadly assassin, yet this is the case in the Fate Universe. Kotomine Kirei, the master of Assassin during the Fourth Holy Grail War, possesses an uncommon blend of traits that allow him to face servants unassisted. His complex character doesn’t detract from his lethal talents; being both a Church Executor and a Magus specializing in healing enchantments, he becomes a profoundly dangerous figure.
Kirei boasts superhuman abilities in speed and strength and possesses expertise in the lethal Bajiquan martial arts, enabling him to eliminate adversaries even without weaponry. His magical acumen, combined with his status as an Executor, grants him the status of a human weapon, marking him as an elite assassin.
8 Kenshin Himura – Rurouni Kenshin
The Himura Battosai
- Age: 28
- Skills: Supreme Strength, Exceptional Speed, Hitokiri Battosai
Kenshin Himura, the fabled rurouni and protagonist of Rurouni Kenshin, is notorious as the hitokiri during the Meiji Revolution. Though renowned as a swordsman in the Hitokiri Battosai tradition, his actions during the revolution paint him as an assassin rather than a typical samurai, having served the Bakumatsu Imperialists. A distinctive X-shaped scar marks his face, serving as a testament to his dark past.
Himura possesses a gentle demeanor off the battlefield, but his prowess as the user of the deadliest sword style makes him a force to be reckoned with. With his master Hiko Seijuro XIII being his only superior in skill, Kenshin’s acclaimed feats during his era solidify his rightful place in this ranking.
7 Akame – Akame Ga Kill
Akame of the Demon Sword Murasame
- Age: N/A
- Skills: Exceptional Speed, Strong Physical Ability, Teigu, Shingu, Meihou
As the deuteragonist in Akame Ga Kill, Akame is a crucial member of the feared Night Raid, known for her lethal skills. Trained as an assassin alongside her sister after being sold to the Empire, she ranked among the elite in her training cohort. Though her expressions tend toward seriousness, she transforms into a focused killer when faced with enemies.
Her training has rendered her one of the most physically powerful characters in the narrative, on par with Commander Esdeath. Wielding the cursed Teigu, the Demon Sword Murasame, Akame’s potential amplifies her lethality, while her speed is astounding, allowing her to move at speeds comparable to Mach 1, positioning her as one of the swiftest in the series.
6 Gabimaru – Hell’s Paradise
Gabimaru The Hollow
- Age: 16
- Skills: Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Fire-based Tao
Known originally as Saku, Gabimaru is the lead character in Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku and distinguished as an adept shinobi from the Iwagakure village. As a death row inmate set on a quest to uncover the Elixir of Life, his temperament is generally calm and unemotional due to his upbringing and profession.
Recognized as a prodigious killer, Gabimaru once claimed the lives of twenty men without sustaining injuries. His seemingly invincible physique combined with superhuman reflexes classifies him as the series’ premier assassin.
5 Silva Zoldyck – Hunter X Hunter
Head of the Zoldyck Family
- Age: 48
- Skills: Emitter Nen Type, Strong Resistance to Poison, Extraordinary Strength, Exceptional Speed
As the leader of the notorious Zoldyck Family, Silva Zoldyck’s status in the Hunter X Hunter series is unquestionable.
A highly proficient user of emitter Nen, Silva employs this technique to create powerful aura orbs, utilized in the elimination of formidable foes. Coupled with superhuman speed and strength, he has honed these abilities specifically for assassination, gaining recognition as one of the world’s finest killers, showcasing versatility in various forms of covert operations.
4 Koro-Sensei – Assassination Classroom
The Reaper
- Age: N/A
- Skills: Photographic Memory, Regenerative Abilities, Antimatter Physiology
Koro-sensei, the unique homeroom teacher from the beloved Assassination Classroom, does not resemble your typical assassin, appearing instead as a quirky creature with tentacles. Nonetheless, he carries the reputation of having transformed the Moon into a crescent and possesses the capacity to annihilate it entirely.
With remarkable speed, moving at Mach 4, coupled with an intellect that learns and adapts rapidly, Koro-sensei proves an elusive target for those seeking to eliminate him, all while being recognized as arguably the most powerful assassin to have ever existed. Even though many of his experiences do not revolve around lethal kills, the magnitude of his abilities speaks volumes for his placement on this list.
3 Itachi Uchiha – Naruto
The Ghost of The Uchiha
- Age: 21 (Deceased)
- Skills: Ninjutsu, Dojutsu, Bukijutsu, Genjutsu
Renowned as Itachi of the Sharingan in Konohagakure, he stands as a true master of assassination among shinobi. Graduating from the shinobi academy at the unprecedented age of six and leading the ANBU Black Ops by twelve, he quickly established himself as one of the most feared figures in the Naruto universe, with a reputation akin to that of Madara Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake.
Even as a youth, Itachi surpassed his peers in physical strength, agility, and intelligence. However, his frailty stemmed from a terminal sickness that hampered his condition. Recognized as a prodigiously gifted shinobi, Itachi uniquely wielded the Mangekyo Sharingan, excelling in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and bukijutsu. Among the extensive cast of powerful characters, Itachi persists as one of the absolute strongest.
2 Toji Fushiguro – Jujutsu Kaisen
The Sorcerer Killer
- Age: N/A
- Skills: Heavenly Restriction
Toji Fushiguro, known as the notorious sorcerer killer, was once part of the Zen’in Clan and is revered as one of the most dangerous figures in Jujutsu Kaisen. In a realm dominated by jujutsu sorcerers, Toji was remarkable for lacking the ability to use cursed energy, due to a Heavenly Restriction. Labeled as talentless, he evolved into one of the elite combatants within this universe.
With physical capabilities surpassing those of any jujutsu sorcerer, Toji remains one of the strongest assassins, even in death. His supernatural attributes bestow upon him extraordinary speed, strength, reflexes, and sensory perception, making him one of the few characters to defeat Satoru Gojo, emphasizing his remarkable power.
1 Zeno Zoldyck – Hunter X Hunter
Elder of the Zoldyck Family
- Age: 69
- Skills: Emitter Nen Type
As the father of Silva Zoldyck and grandfather of Killua, Zeno Zoldyck may appear as a frail old man, but he is, in fact, one of the most formidable hunters in the Hunter X Hunter universe. His advanced skill with Nen, exceptionally attained by few hunters, showcases his expertise as both an Emitter and an acquired Transmuter—a rare accomplishment.
Once the patriarch of the Zoldyck family, merely mentioning his name can instill fear within the ranks of assassins. In terms of physical prowess, his abilities of superhuman strength, speed, and agility are complemented by his stealth expertise. Though his activities have slowed with age, the deep well of experience from his youth renders him a tremendously powerful adversary, securing his top position on this list.
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